That night, beneath a starry yet sparse sky, the crescent moon shone pale and cold.
It was June. Though the days already felt like the height of summer, once night fell, the temperature plummeted, leaving the air brisk, no more than a dozen degrees.
On an isolated island deep in the New World, far past Lodestar Island, the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates had reunited after their narrow escape from the Marines. This once desolate island now echoed with the raucous cheer of pirates feasting and drinking together.
"Hahaha! Oden, how did it feel traveling with Roger?"
"Any interesting stories? Tell us, come on!"
Around a roaring bonfire that lit the deserted shore, members of both crews gathered, the mood lively as they drank and swapped tales. Whitebeard, tankard in one hand and the other arm draped over Kozuki Oden's shoulder, laughed as he questioned his long-absent crewmate.
"We saw so many incredible things," Oden said, raising his cup. His eyes gleamed with the thrill of memory, though a hint of wistfulness shadowed his gaze.
"An island in the sky, with a city of gold beyond imagining.
The Fish-Man Island deep below the sea, where I tasted fish like nothing I'd ever eaten before.
And in Dressrosa, I met the dwarves, so tiny and cute I could hardly believe it.
And it wasn't just the sights. We met so many powerful pirates, clashed with mighty Marines. Only after leaving Wano did I understand how vast the world truly is.
I could travel forever, Whitey-chan."
Whitebeard didn't notice the touch of melancholy in Oden's face. He drank deep and grinned.
"If that's how you feel, then just keep sailing with us.
What's next for you? You've circled the seas with Roger now, sure, but there's still plenty of the world left to see.
Come back aboard. Let's keep going together, seeking out adventure!"
But Oden shook his head. His answer froze Whitebeard's smile mid-laugh. Even Roger and his men, seated nearby, quieted as they sensed the shift in mood.
"I'm not going to stay with you," Oden said.
Whitebeard stared.
"Why not? You're not thinking of staying with Roger, are you?"
A dangerous pressure filled the air as Whitebeard's killing intent flared. His hand dropped to his Kogarashi, knuckles white. His eyes burned toward Roger and his crew.
The sudden surge of tension made every pirate present fall still. Only Roger, calm as ever, continued to sip his drink without a flicker of concern.
"Don't be angry. That's not it at all," Oden said gently.
"I'm going home. Back to Wano. It's been so long… I miss Toki, Momonosuke, and Hiyori. I don't even know how they're doing."
Whitebeard's scowl eased as understanding dawned.
"Oh, so that's it! Haha! I thought you meant something serious. Of course you should go home. You've been gone long enough."
With the tension gone, the gathering relaxed again. The feast resumed its warmth until Roger spoke, his voice quiet but clear.
"Even if Oden wanted to keep sailing with us, he couldn't. My journey is over. There's nothing left in this sea to hold me here."
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed, and his crew, along with Roger's men, turned toward their captain in stunned silence. Only Shanks and Buggy looked on in wide-eyed confusion.
"Captain, what do you mean?" Shanks asked, bewildered.
"What do you mean by 'nothing left'?"
Roger smiled at them, bright and bittersweet.
"I mean what I said. I'm disbanding the Roger Pirates. Thank you all for being part of this voyage. It ends here."
Sparks from the fire floated into the night as the pirates sat frozen.
Whitebeard downed a deep gulp of sake, his voice low.
"So it's decided?"
"It is," Roger said, nodding.
"I've already told the crew. Only these two boys hadn't heard. When we sailed for Laugh Tale, Buggy was sick, and Shanks stayed behind to care for him. The choice was made on our return."
Shanks and Buggy rushed to Roger's side, unable to believe their ears. Tears welled as they gazed up at him, the man who'd been like a father to them both.
"Don't look like that," Roger said gently.
"Someday, you'll command ships of your own. Your adventure is only beginning. Mine is done."
Then he turned to Whitebeard, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Whitey, there's something important I need to tell you. Come with me."
Curiosity overcoming reluctance, Whitebeard rose and followed him down to the shore, where moonlight silvered the sands. Their voices carried no farther than the surf. Whatever secrets Roger shared that night, none but the sea itself would ever know.
Dawn broke over Lodestar Island.
At the shattered port, the Marines were already hard at work under Sengoku's command, repairing what they could. Damaged ships lined the harbor, where shipwrights scrambled to patch their hulls.
This battle had brought the Navy no glory, only heavy losses, a blot on Sengoku's record.
A low horn blast drew their attention as a white ship approached at speed, its horn sounding clear across the waves.
On a battered green-hulled patrol ship, Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kuzan paused in their work to look up. The black cross on the newcomer's flag caught in Yoriichi's eye.
"A World Government ship?" Yoriichi muttered.
"The war's over. What are they doing here?"
/////////////////////////
Support me by adding this fic into your library!
100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
For Advance Chapters, please visit and consider joining me on P(a)treon!
p(a)treon.com/Lnee
1-2+ Chapters daily on P(a)treon, will go up depends on the powerstone extra chapters.
You can also access my other translated fics on P(a)treon!